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The QB Blast: Veteran Arm Needed Immediately

August 23rd, 2010

Ex-Bucs QB Jeff Carlson

By JEFF CARLSON
JoeBucsFan.com analyst

Former Bucs quarterback Jeff Carlson (1990 & 1991) writes The QB Blast column here at JoeBucsFan.com. Joe is ecstatic to have him firing away. Carlson is often seen as a color analyst on Bright House Sports Network, and he trains quarterbacks of all ages locally via his company, America’s Best Quarterback.

The Bucs got lucky Saturday night. Many say it was bad luck, but in the NFL, just as one man’s injury is another man’s opportunity, this “small” injury to Freeman’s thumb gives the Bucs management a great opportunity to practice their disaster management scenario.

In my rookie year with the Los Angeles Rams, the backup quarterback was Mark Herrmann, and he cracked a rib in the second preseason game.

This gave me a great opportunity to get extra playing time. It also gave me an opportunity to throw a game-winning touchdown pass and build some much needed confidence. But even with this confidence, deep down I knew I wasn’t ready to take over the team in the event that Jim Everett went down.

And, even though I didn’t want the team to go find a veteran QB, they were smart to do it to protect the team and franchise. We signed a veteran journeyman by the name of Steve Dils, who had experience in the offense. Herrmann was back by opening week and Dils was released, but the Rams had their disaster plan in place, as I’m sure Dils would have been right back on the team had another injury hit.

The Buccaneers now face an eerily similar situation. Although their starter is the one with the injury, and that makes it all the more important what team management decides to do in the coming days.

I have supported Josh Johnson as this team’s backup quarterback and continue to do so. Getting Rudy Carpenter some much needed playing time and confidence is also important for this team. But I know the Rams did the right thing by bringing in some veteran experience, and I know the Bucs must insure their billion dollar franchise by getting another veteran quarterback acclimated to their system immediately.

They may cut him at the end of the preseason and may never need him again, but another experienced arm on the roster is a must, even though Freeman and the Bucs got “lucky” with this chance to work their disaster drill before the real thing hits when the games count.

Garcia know the offense, but I think his ego and the words in the times today pretty much lock him out. The Bucs are happy with JJ, and are just looking for another QB as an insurance policy. Look for Snead to be picked back up, since he has had some time with the offense. At least that was the TBO owrd.

Hopefully the Bucs won’t sign Garcia. And thankfully, it looks like that won’t happen. All the Bucs need to do is re-sign Snead to help with the quarterback depth. He carries much less baggage than Garcia, and if all goes according to plan with Josh’s thumb, then they can just release him again or put him on the practice squad.

#1 We need Raheem to lose big so we can bring Bill Cowher. A veteran might win a few games, and we can’t have that crap, giving Raheem an excuse to stay on another year.

#2 I would definitely love to see JJ step in and show what he can do Him being a draft pick chosen by Gruden and Doug Williams, two of the greatest men that have graced the Buccaneer’s sidelines, JJ deserves his chance, And I give a damn about Rhasta Morrisman’s hate for JJ. The dude is a great QB talent. I’d take winning with him, forcing Raheem to make a tough choice of pulling a winner, and putting Freeman back in… only to see Freeman struggle and lose, ultimately forcing Raheem to pull Freeman for poor play and playing the winning hand of JJ.

Can we say QB controversy brewing in the bay???? Gruden and William’s boy beating out Rah’s Freeman to literally tear apart the fanbase even further!

Now THAT’S exactly what I want to see… oh and somehow Raheem winning 6 and then having tye Glazers not re-up his contract anyway! That would be sweeeeeeeet!!!

I agree with you that it is in poor taste to grill Carlson, like drndeast did.

However, with the Bucs approaching a “blacked out” season and in the second year of it’s rebuilding phase, why would the Bucs want to waste regular season snaps on a vet that won’t get us to the playoffs?

WE WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS…everyone knows that.

Why bring in a vet (Todd Collins just got signed today by the Bears)? There is no one left…

Our team lives or dies with Josh Freeman. Why win a couple games with a vet QB, all the while worsening our draft pick? Especially when you can get Josh Johnson some much needed experience…

Jeff puts himself out there, and he is a big boyu so he can take it. You also should remember, just bec ause he was a carreer backup does not mean he does not know the position. I have heard he is a good coach as well. Keep the articles coming Jeff.